During an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Liow Tiong Lai, who has announced his candidacy for MCA deputy president post in the coming party election, made it clear that he would support Ong Tee Keat and Ong Ka Chuan to contest for the positions of party president and deputy president.

He said that he is not a hypocrite and he will not be ambiguous. Compared to Chua Jui Meng and Dr Chua Soi Lek, he has more understanding with the pair of Tee Keat and Ka Chun and it is more easier for Liow to work with them in the cabinet.

"Today, in MCA's core leadership, the pair of Ongs is more capable in agglomerating and leading the party. This is too important for MCA," said Liow.

MCA's defeat in the 8 March general elections has caused party members to point their fingers at the party's leaders. Even Liow, who used to be portrayed in a positive image, was accused of being invloved in the "dissenting" secret group of three.

He said this is the biggest blow and insult to his personality and political career of over 20 years.

Liow said he felt wronged at that time as someone made up a story to smear him. His unwatchfulness had given an opportunity for those with bad intention to make an issue of him.

Liow, who is now 47 years old, is the youngest candidate for the deputy president post. He said with a smile that he does not mind to be called a boy scout because of his youth, enthusiasm and the sense of mission are his strengths. He wanted to make his utmost effort t reform and restructure MCA.

Anonymous cartoon incident: I don't have to play dirty tricks

Q: Some people related Dr Chua's cartoons to you...

A: The so-called anonymous letters are all despicable means. It is not necessary to play this kind of tricks against our own comrades even for the party elections. The most important thing is to come up with an idea and let others to assess our performances.

Although Some Health Ministry issues mentioned in the Attorney-General report were not raised during my term of office, I'll still handle these issues and will not try to escape.

This year is too important appraise MCA's survival in the next general elections. Thus, we must choose leaders with the highest wisdom.

Pahang Leadership: Pahang MCA has strong cohesion ability

Q: Some leaders said that Pahang MCA took a "closed-door policy" against the opposing group, how do you look at this issue?

A: I don't agree with it. Pahang is a very liberal state. I'm from Malacca but I am holding the Bentong parliamentary seat. My Pahang comrades can accept me. I can only say that Pahang MCA is cohesive.

Q: Some people are dissatisfied with two ministers in Pahang. Would this affect Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, who is also contesting for the deputy president post, and your votes?

A: After the 8 March general elections, the party president and deputy president refuse to continue to hold their positions and the president appointed MCA Youth Chief and Wanita Chief as ministers. Thus, Dr Ng and me have the responsibility to switch track and return to the parent party. We have to contribute for the party, instead of for ourselves. I believe when members are casting their votes, they will not distinguish candidates by state.

Q: Is it meant to "bleach" Pahang leaders to appoint you as Penang MCA Chief?

A: I'm a Pahang MP, this is undeniable. The party leaders' purpose is to ensure equal distribution of the central resources, particularly in those states that we have lost. The main responsibility is to regain lost ground.

Strengths in contesting the deputy president post: I'm young, enthusiatic and tolerante

Q: Among the five candidates for the deputy president post, what are your strengths?

A: I'm young, enthusiastic and tolerant and I have the sense of mission.

All MCA Youth comrades support me through MCA state conventions. Also, I'm in touch with my Penang and Pahang MCA members despite being the Penang MCA Chief for just a few months, I'm very pleased that Penang comrades understand the intention of the Central Committee to assign me here to help.

Q: What is your election manifesto?

A: I think it would be more appropriate for the presidential candidates to come out with a manifesto. To me, the most important thing is to promote reform and transformation in MCA, as well as to work with the president and deputy president. And I personally, have my own manifesto as a vice-presidential candidate.

Q: Dr Chua Soi Lek and Jui Meng believe that MCA requires experienced cabinet ministers to negotiate with Umno, what do you think?

A: It is not a question of experience to reflect the people's and the Chinese community's view. Instead, it requires a strength given by the Chinese community, MCA's policiesa and strategies. I believe experience can be accumulated over time. In addition, the incumbent MCA ministers have been in the party for decades, I don't think they are inexperienced.

A summary for the life in MCA Youth: It plays the vanguard role

Q: Summing up the past three years, are you a competent MCA Youth Chief?

A: I've been in MCA Youth for more than 20 years. I saw its growth and expansion. I dare not to say I've made big contribution in the past three years. But I've united MCA Youth, set up a team to play the vanguard role on national issues.

MCA Youth needs to project its vanguard spirit of daring to voice out, as well as its direct and quick response. MCA Youth was the vanguard to criticise Umno Youth in the keris brandishing incident and Khairy Jamaluddin as well.

Q: So, do you think you have successfully united MCA Youth?

A: Today's MCA Youth can be called a powerful team and it can directly and openly discuss national and party issues in all meetings. There are factional fights.

Relations With Umno: Good relationship with Hishammuddin

Q: How is your relations with Umno?

A: I'm having a very good relationship with Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein. We have been friends when I was still a political secretary. I'm also having good relationships with other Umno ministers, we always have breakfast together before the Cabinet meeting.

Q: Do you worry that the Chinese community may think that you are drawing yourself close to Umno?

A: This is a wrong feeling. I did not gain today's position by drawing myself close to Umno. Instead, it was MCA members' support.

MCA leaders must build a good relationship with Umno so that we can deal with the people's livelihood problems and reflect the Chinese community's views more effectively. It has nothing wrong if you can make more friends.

Q: Is today's Umno ignoring MCA's criticism?

A: If Umno acts wilfully and ignores MCA's views, BN would not be able to gain support of all races. Thus, today's BN must listen to its member parties' views. For example, MCA has clearly expressed its stand and view on the ISA arrest issue in the Cabinet. I believe the related minister will handle the issue with care.

Q: Have Umno leaders' attitudes changed after the 8 March general elections?

A: Some Umno ministers like Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin have changed. Of course, some are still having the same attitude.

MCA's and BN's reform: MCA will definitely carry out reform

Q: Has the Chinese community seen MCA's reform after the general elections?

A: MCA will definitely carry out reform and BN will as change as well. MCA has the responsibility to change Umno and BN. We found that Umno leaders are determined to reform but some wanted to do it after the party elections. However, we don't think that we should wait any longer. It may be slow, but changes must be made.

Umno gave the dominance impression in the past, we hope that it is not true. A new BN must safeguard the interest of all instead of serving only a single racial group.

Q: After the 8 March general elections, the Chinese community's support to MCA seems to have reduced. Would this make MCA's voice smaller?

A: We do suffer a great blow during the 8 March general elections and even the President took the blame on himself and refused to accept a minister's post. But do we have to give up the Chinese community's interest just because of this? It cannot be like this, MCA's mission is to help the Chinese community and bring the Chinese community's voices into the Cabinet.

Therefore, we join the Cabinet for the Chinese community. Because MCA plays an important role in the federal government and it is the Chinese community's last line of defencse. We believe that MCA is still playing its role and we can still contribute to the Chinse community.

Also, we would like to assure the Chinese community that we will not be passive as in the past. We want to be in charge and be in a position of power when are handling issues. (Sin Chew Daily)